Music Industry Liabilities Blog

As the weather gets colder towards the end of this year, one thing that is heating up is the amount of court appearances, trials and litigated cases that some of your favorite celebrities are getting. So let's jump right into it.

Recently, within the confines of my home town, came a case that was sparked with two major artist whom did not appear a legally binded, contracted Mega-Concert. Those artist were Rick Ross and Young Jeezy.

The concert was WUSL Power 99 Fm's "Powerhouse" Concert series, which is slated as not only the biggest yearly concert in Philadalephia, it is also showcased by the biggest urban radio station of the city, in the nation's 4 rated radio market. According from sources at both Power 99 FM and All Hip Hop Dot Com, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy were scheduled to hit the stage alongside Wiz Kahlifa, Meek Mill, Wale, DJ Khaled, Ace Hood, Big Sean, Trey Songs, Chris Brown, T-Pain, Tyga of Young Money, and Melanie Fiona.

Power 99 has recently also been bombarded with thousand of disappointed fans, some of which called up the radio station and asked to speak to the station manager, demanding that their ticket purchases be refunded. Though the cancelation of Rick Ross is Not known, most believe that it is due to his recent medical conditions. The rapper recently posted on Twitter, after suffering two seizures in one day on October 14th. As for Young Jeezy, it is still unknown why he was a "no-show", but the industry buzz is saying that it could be due to his recent signing of Philly Underground Artist Tone Trump, and the pre-existing tension between the two artist and their respectful camps: Maybach Music Group and Corporate Thug Entertainment. Power 99 has contacted Management of both camps for recoupment of wages lost, or this issue can be headed to court soon.

In other news, All Hip Hop's owner and fellow Friend of Mine, Grouchy Greg Watkins, has told the All Hip Hop following and Twitter that he will be filing a racial profiling lawsuit against the W Hotel of Atlanta, Georgia.

The All Hip Hop Staff, traversed down to Atlanta to celebrate the BET Hip-Hop Awards with the city, partner with local promoters, and sponsor numerous parties with a premiere list of industry friends at the midtown W Hotel inside the Whiskey Park bar. Both founders of AllHipHop.com, Greg Watkins and Chuck Creekmur have been patrons of the Atlanta franchise, and Greg Watkins was even staying at the downtown W (a different location) on the October 5th weekend. But, that didn’t matter as we attempted to get into our own party. According to sources whom I know personally, said that the Owner had a issue with Greg's appearance, as he sports a full beard. The manager made it clear that entry was “at his discretion,” yet he made no concessions, even though the promoter Ruffin had stated who Greg, Chuck Creekmur and Steve Raze were. One of the management staff told Greg to “walk away” as the scene got increasingly heated. A police officer concurred with a gleam in his eye, like “make a move so I can twist you up right here.” Needless to say, Greg Watkins was forced to leave the venue heated and disgusted , even as the co-organizers, sponsor and host. Several professionals, including Houston Rapper, Bun B, and other industry people were denied entry based on some vague discretion. After which, they admitted a personal recourse, which ranged from a personal ban of the W Hotel, to civil lawsuits of their own for repayment of monies spent on hotel stays within the hotel the night of the Bet Hip Hop Award events on October 5th. No further details are present in regards to this upcoming case between Watkins and W Hotels of Atlanta.

Rapping up a crazy array of upcoming cases within our beloved Hip-Hop community is the recent denial of Gucci Mane's reduced convicted sentencing. Gucci Mane, who real name is Radrick Davis, appeal to have reduced jail time after physically assaulting a woman that he had been dating was denied by a judge in a Dekalb County Courthouse, on October 28th.

The recent charges stem from Gucci serving a six month sentence for a January incident, in which he allegedly assaulted a woman and pushed her out of a moving car, after she refused his proposition for sex with him after a date. The judge denied, and shortly after, The District Attorneys office and a representative of the young lady, whom at this time remain nameless, filed a civil suit against Gucci Mane. Upon his actual release, Gucci will be required to complete 12 weeks of anger management courses and pay $5,091 to cover the victim's medical bills and a $3,000 fine. I will be following this case more closely, and more information and insight about the civil case will be provided when they arrise.

Dr. Martin Luther King - Civil Rights Martyr Forever Etched in Time. How his Negotiation Tact Forever Changed the World!

Today, On Sunday, October 16th, 2011, The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial was officially dedicated and speakers called for carrying on King's ideals and values and confronting issues including bullying and social and economic justice for all Americans.

Dr. King, to this day, and forever more will be known in the hearts and minds of all humanity as a man that stood as the martyr of civil rights, change, equality, and fair treatment of all human kind. Dr. King championed a movement that draws from the conceptual understanding of America's potential for freedom, opportunity, and justice. His vision of America is captured in his message of hope and possibility for a future anchored in dignity, sensitivity, and mutual respect; a message that challenges each of us daily to recognize that America's true strength lies in its diversity.

In addition, according to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation, "The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial will be the first on the National Mall to recognize a person of color and a man of peace, not a president or a veteran of war. In 1996 Congress authorized the Memorial Foundation to raise funds to establish a national memorial to honor the legacy of Dr. King on the National Mall. The memorial’s very existence signifies that we as a people believe Dr. King and his legacy deserve this esteemed placement in what can be considered America’s “Hall of Fame.” "

At the Memorial today, some of the most imminent messages were not by Dr. King himself, but by the family and successors of his legacy, vision and work.

Viewing the Memorial today on television on CNN, President Barack Obama and Dr. King's daughter, Rev. Bernice King will forever be etched in my mind, as she stated that maybe the postponement of the original monument opening was through divine intervention. " "Perhaps God wanted us to move beyond the dream into action," she said. "As we dedicate this monument, I can hear my father saying that oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever," she said. "The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself ... I hear my father saying what we are seeing now, all across the streets of America and the world, is a freedom explosion."

Being a Entertainment Business man, I wanted to take this time to stretch the corridors of your mind for a second. Along with being the martyr of civil rights and a catalyst for change, Dr. Martin Luther King, will also be one of the most sound negotiators of our generation.

In essence, Dr. King was able to use the core concepts of negotiating to show and point out how unjust America was at the time towards African Americans. In a time where the world was in the ideology of segregation, Dr. King, subtly brought attention to the actions behind the hatred and injustice as inhumane, and brought light through his words and reactions as humble and noble by giving the peaceful solution of non-violence, yet still becoming willing to be a martyr for change. His speech, had an objective where he demonstrated that not only African Americans be granted citizen rights, but all individuals binding as citizens through the constitution of the United States share the same rights. Throughout his speech Martin Luther showed autonomy by giving his recommendations on what needs to take place in order for change, in addition to affiliating himself with the common people by relating to them as my brothers and sisters, all the while still becoming immortalized as the catalyst of change and face of desegregation. Had it not been for this sound negotiation of the past, there would not even be a foundation to which one of today’s greatest and most globalized public iconic figures could expand upon in the business world today.

It is because of his groundwork that I have the honors and privilege today to use all of my knowledge, insight, and platforms in my favor to make a staple on the world of my own; In the event that I cannot, it gives me the courage, structure, and blueprints to further inspire the future groups of individuals who can.

I Thank God for Dr. Martin Luther King, on this day, because had his vision and dream for America been completely deferred, my ability to manifest all my aspirations and passions would have too died within those picket lines.

Industry Spotlight: Jahlil Beats -Simple Studio, Superior Sound!

"... Jahlil Beats! Holla At Me", is a coined phrase that you are sure to here over some Hip-Hop and R&B's hottest songs both recently and years to come. Coming off of over 40 hit tracks used and still in radio rotation throught the country including Meek Mill " Make 'Em Say", " Hottest In The City " and Rose` Red Remix" featuring T.I, Vado, and Rick Ross; to "Money" by Red Cafe featuring Diddy and Fabolous, just to name a few. This is the unofficial story of how one Chester, Pennsylvania Producer went from putting his city on the map, To having the whole nation in A frenzy.

Written By: Brandon Needam

Photos By: Kirk Smith (Courtesy of Flickr)

For 23-year-old Producer/Artist Jahlil Beats, creating music started as just a release from everyday pressures of living in Chester, Pennsylvania; A small, yet dangerous area that is all but 10-minutes shy of Center City, Philadelphia. And though he started at the tender age of 15, learning audio engineering concepts and building a passion for music under the guidance of his uncle's studio; As for becoming hip-hop's rising super producer, it was sort of an after thought. That 8 -year grind laned his production in some of the hottest names in the industry to date; one beat at a time.

On a interview on MTV's Sucker Free Sunday, Jahlil Goes on to explain how his career propelled to where it is now. Jahlil said , "I'm Jahlil Beats. I'm 23. From Chester, PA. My career and me getting my production to cats like Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Tyga, Red Cafe, Rick Ross and others came through me working with my partner Meek Mill. We had the Tri-State Area ( Philly,PA/New Jersey/Delaware) locked. Then, the music started spreading to [Washington] D.C. I met Meek Mill originally off of Myspace. I hit him up, like "Yo, your mixtape is dope. He hit me back like he appreciated it, but he was feeling my beats too, and to send him some". He used them throughout his Flamers Mixtape Series, which was some of his biggest tracks to date. From that, I did a track called "Willy Wonka", and the Homie DJ Ill Will from out in L.A. got a hold of it with Meek [Mill] on it, and he reached out to K.P. from Dat Piff, the Website, and K.P. reached out to Me, and I sent him the beat directly. Next thing I know, he got Lil Wayne and Gudda Gudda on it. After That, stuff just started picking up!"

That spur-of-the-moment opportunity spring boarded two monumental projects within Jahlil's budding career. The first was becoming the producer of choice for Meek Mill's Flamers 2 and 3 projects, which were sponsored and distributed through T.I.'s Grand Hustle, DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz, and Charlie Mack's 215 Aphillyated. The mixtape sold over 100,000 units nationwide, and counting, which later lead to Meek Mill signing a multi-million dollar recording deal with Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group, which is a joint venture with Warner Brothers Music, Inc. Their recent smash hit, is "Imma Boss" which features Rick Ross, is currently still in national radio rotation and the hit single as far as iTune's downloads for the collaboration-style album that MMG has put out entitled, "Self Made".




Check out The Videos of Jahlil's Hit Singles Below:

(Disclaimer: Some Videos Contain Explicit Lyrics)






So, If you a fan of Meek Mill, by default, you're a fan of Jahlil Beats because he produced the whole album. But Don't take my word for it, check Meek's words on Jahlil out his own mouth:




Here is the official XXL Video Interview:



From that, the wave of top industry artist hitting Jahlil's twitter, (@JahlilBeats) was unbelievable. Top Artist like Young Money CEO requested more beats directly, which in turn became " Green Goblin" by Jae Millz featuring Chris Brown."Green Goblin", {also known as "Green Gobblin'"), is the first single from Jae Millz's first studio album Nothing Is Promised.

The music video premiered on MusicMatrix.com and AllHipHop.com, with an interactive version for MusicMatrix.com users. The video takes cues from the 1995 movie "Dead Presidents". The video shows Millz and Brown counting money after a bank heist. The video also includes krump dancers. According to Millz, the video was Brown's idea. The video was directed by Antwan Smith.

Here is the "Green Gobblin" and "Holla At Me" Video:





(Videos Directed by: Alex Nazari)

As far as where he gains his inpiration to create some of his bangers, Jahlil was interviewed on Istandard Producers Dot Com stating in reference to " Money, Money, Money" by Red Cafe Featuring Diddy and Fabolous that, " I made the track last summer in my Mom’s basement. I wanted to make a simple but hard 808 track, so I sampled my niece on the track (she says the Jahlil Beats Holla @ Me at the beginning of all my tracks). But, the craziest thing was It wasn’t even finished. I was stuck on it, and I felt like it was missing something, but when I would let cat’s hear the track, they’d be like “Damn!! Leave it just like that”. I just ran with it off of their reaction."



He also goes on to explain that, "I played it for a couple artist before I let [Red] Cafe hear it but it didn’t grasp on to them at all. I would play like 20 sec of the beat and they’d be like NEXT TRACK but, when I played it for Cafe he fell in love with the track and he already had a vision for it. Red Cafe Came to Philly to pick the track and he had a session with my partner Meek Mill but when he got back to New York he laid the whole Song Asap and threw Diddy & Fab on it. The first time that I heard the song on the radio, I was in NY when DJ Envy premiered the record. I went to see my lawyer in Manhattan and when I got in the car and turned the radio on the song was playing. I just felt like , 'Wow, this is gonna be a big record', and I still feel that way. It’s spreading everywhere."

As of lately,Jahlil Beats is officially signed with Universal Records. Despite all the success, Jahlil vows to continue to stick to the basics when it comes to doing what he loves. Known amonst the industry for being a "hybrid producer", creating hot tracks behind any piece of hardware you put him behind, He perfers to use FL Studios software as his studio of choice. Proving that you to can get to the next level by just staying true to yourself. From Minimal to Millionaire producer, any thing truly is possible.

For All beat inquiries, feel free to contact Jahlil At:

http://www.twitter.com/ajahlilbeat

E-mail: Jahlilbeats@gmail.com

Here is his latest video of the heat he created, just yesterday:

Bennie Black of Black Tag Media Speaks Industry Insight On Negotiation and Life

Written, Interviewed, and Edited by: B. Needam for B-Needam's World.
(Photos Courtesy Of: Bennie Black of Black Tag Media)



Last weekend, amongst a crowded house of over 2,000 hysterical fans of rising artist Wiz Khalifa, J.Cole and Mac Miller, I was able to interview and get in contact with Bennie Black, one of the next great entertainment industry Photographers and Graphic Artist, and have a heart to heart conversation on his path to success, how negotiating effectively put him in the perfect position for anything that he creatively desires to do moving forward, and how surprisingly, how life's twist of fate can push you to the same destinations of your destiny if you have the right drive. This is Bennie's story, as told to me, in the mist of the moment:

Bennie Black: Yeah, we can do an interview. Off the record, though. But yeah, we can definitely do it.

B.Needam: Oh, No. This is definitely for a school related project. This interview is not affiliated with any party that I work with whatsoever. Let's get that clear.

Bennie Black: Ok, Cool.

B.Needam: Nontheless, we are here at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas for the Wiz Khalifa and Friends Concert, and its about to go down real crazy tonight. Over 2,000 fans for this concert, and it was sold out in an hour. Amazing turn out. And I am here with the lead photographer for the whole Wiz Khalifa and J. Cole concert, my man Bennie Black of Black Tag Media. Bennie, its a Pleasure.

Bennie Black: What's Up,B! All man, the pleasure is all mine.

B.Needam: Everything is good with me! Bout to finish my masters, crazy concert about to go down, but let's get right into it. For a lot of people who don't know, give the readers a brief overview of yourself, and how you eventually migrated over into the photography scene.

Bennie Black: It's funny that you put it like that, because I was doing photography before I was doing rapping, producing or any of the things fans may be familiar with from me. So, really what it came down to is me wanting to get back into the film and photography field, because its a broader field with a longer industry lifespan, plus its another form of art and my creative expression. And honestly, In my opinion, its one of the best. As a photographer, you one of the only individuals that has complete creative control over the elements of the event or moment at that time. So if you even have more than one photographer, you are catching a glimpse of time at an angle that no one else will have, ever! And with that photo, as an artist, you are attached to that event for the rest of your life. That's a feeling that is hard to replicate in other art forms. Anybody can make a mixtape cover, and anyone can create a flyer. Not everyone can take a photo that is stuck in time.
B.Needam: That's a great analogy and response.

Bennie Black: Perfect example. The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and Tupac photo that was taken in the early 90's. Its all over the Internet; its in books. Most people do not know that the guy that took that photo wasn't paid for the event that night. So, now, after many years later, and Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. are deceased, and now Jay-Z is at the top of the pinnacle of the rap game, that picture is worth over an estimated $250,000. And he negotiated it in a way, moving forward that he always gets a chunk of whatever media outlet uses that photograph for their works. Whether its T.V., in a book, he is the owner of a work, that everyone is demanding in regards to the artist, yet no one else has.

B.Needam: So, in essence, you can create a whole career off of one picture in the photography industry?

Bennie Black: Definitely. But that is not the only reason I am in it. It is also for a love and a passion for something that you cannot replicate anywhere else.



B. Needam: Right. In addition to the photography, you are actually working on another mixtape to be distributed as well as a album that is projected to be pushed as a joint venture with 50 Cent's G-Unit/G-Unit South, as well as a couple distribution deals to have the album pushed nationwide in stores and on iTunes. Can you speak more about that, and as far as your musical influence, do you take that same approach that you do as a photographer into creating and making your music?

Bennie Black: You have to. Because you have to be completely mindful of the people that appeal to your music, and who want to support you. Or even individuals that have gone through the same things that you have in life. Those are situations where, in the music industry, you have to be mindful of this amongst other things. So, if and when I drop the album, it will be focused more on the fans, more than me. Some of the songs are memoirs about me, but the whole album is structured toward the fan base and what they desire from it. You always have to be mindful of who you are catering to in this industry. If not, your not going to sell, and no one will listen. 60% of the industry right now are not being played, because they are so worried about their image and not directly speaking to the fans, and being you. In addition to not being a business man or woman and pushing your creative vision and getting what you want out of your deals.

B. Needam: Its funny that you should mention that, because deal negotiation is one of the biggest things that we are discussing in my masters classes right now. What, can you say, is one of the biggest misconceptions about brokering deals, especially working within two facets of the industry, like yourself?

Bennie Black: The biggest thing that I noticed in alot of individuals trying to maneuver in this industry is that they don't believe nor know their own worth. I think, initially, going into a negotiation with major entertainment entities, or even collegue to colleauge, the average person gets intimidated by the other individuals title in the industry, whom they work for, or what they feel they already bring to the table in experience. I'm telling you, know your worth. 80% of people that you going into trying to establish an agreement with will try to get over on you, simply on the perception that they think that you are new to the game. That's why, no matter what level you are own, do your homework, know what direction and vision you are going for, and research things that are public domain, to have in your bag of weapons, to break up some of the fluff that some people will throw at you. People are more inclined to work with an individual who is knowledgble and insightful of the endeavors they are about to get into before hand, than someone who goes into a negotiation naked. Period!

B.Needam: Ok, so who important is it to stay focused on a objective criteria, to you?

Bennie Black: Aww Man, that's the most vital part. A lot of times, me personally, I am blending business as a photographer and graphic artist with individuals that I have previously have done work with or came in contact with musically. Naturally, because in the music lane, me and those individuals have a great rapport already, they assume that they can take the "buddy" approach to me as a lead photographer and designer, and get things done in a way to cut cost, or even at a discount. Again, this goes back to knowing your worth. I am big on maintaining good relationships, however, stressing the fact that we are still doing business, I am a business owner first, with Black Tag Media Dot Com, and a friend second. And friend or not, I am not about to shortchange my business, which is like my baby to me, because blacktagmedia is what feeds my baby, my son Avori, you know. So forcing people to stay focused on the objective criteria of the agreement or deal is the meat and potatoes of why were here in the first place. We can chop it up, and be friends after we tackle the business at hand. I always try to stay conscious of taking that approach at all times.




B. Needam: So, getting back to the photography, what can you say has been the the photography opportunity that solidified your career thus far?

Bennie Black: Honestly, I would say the Usher Concert thus Far. This concert [Wiz Khalifa, J.Cole] will definitely be in the running though. Then, I have Lil Wayne's "I am Music Tour", and Jay-Z with Kanye West's "Watch The Throne" Concert Tour as well, in Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, Atlanta, and here in Dallas. I think once that happens, that will be the highlight. But, all in all, I am just blessed to have the opportunity to keep progressing with it. A lot of individuals don't realize that opportunities only come once in a lifetime, and if you don't jump on each and every opportunity, you are going to be stuck in the same place that you were yesterday. One of my favorite quotes of all time was by the singer Lloyd, and he said 'Last Week, I was at home, watching 106 and Park from my couch. Now, I'm on your couch!'. The only way that you can accomplish something like that in a week is to grind. You have to work for it, and take every chance and opportunity that you can to make it happen.

B.Needam: That is an interesting point. Because, even myself, I have noticed that so often within this industry, every one so pressed to be somebody, that they're always afraid to be themselves.

Bennie Black: [Jokingly] They're afraid to be euthenized by the critics. That's the thing. You shouldn't even be concerned with pleasing everybody in this industry. It can be 25 people in a room; 24 could like you, but then there is always that....

B.Needam: One person.

Bennie Black: [Winks]. Exactly.

At that time, a beautiful, caramel complexion goddess walks past, proceeds to fix and fit her dress, then looks back at us while she is walking away with her fellow lady friends. Me and Bennie Look at each other, and simultaneously laugh at what just happened. Then, Bennie suddenly frowns his face up.

Bennie Black: Damn Shame. I guess perception is everything nowadays.

B.Needam: With that being said, and what just happened, the influence of the media is that real, both in a positive and negative manner. You have all people, especially youth, that are allured by what they see on t.v. or in the media, even in photography. You are right about perception is everything now a days.

Bennie Black: Yeah! It's so true. You are right. Why I love having that kind of power in my hands, because it have the power to change that. One of mentors told me that working in the arts and media we have all the fuel we need to get anyone's attention. Its what you say, convey, or do to them once you have that attention that makes the difference. I choose to do something epic, and create a positive response around everything I shoot. Influence people to stretch their minds a bit, one picture at a time.

B.Needam: Well said. Anything you want to tell the world in addition, before we wrap up?

Bennie Black: Yeah, check out www.blacktagmedia.com, add me on Facebook- Bennie Black, and also follow me on Twitter @itsbennieblack. I definitely follow back, and am open to all questions, and business inquireies through all three platforms. Get at me, world.

B.Needam: I appreciate your time and insight Bennie, thanks again. Hoping to enjoy this show.

Bennie Black: No Problem, homie. I like your approach, man. You got a bright future ahead of you. Stay focused and in touch with me. We definitely can collab on some ventures together in the future.

B.Needam: I will. See you after the show. Enjoy the rest of the night.


With that, I left to go into the show, but everything that was said, will be forever etched in my mind. Its interesting how one conversation can open up so much more within a person and even answer the questions to which until then, went unanswered. Whether its great insight, or the perfect angle, Bennie definitely let me know that its all on your angle in life; and never be afraid to bring the angle you are on to the rest of the world.